Southern Hemisphere Flu Vaccine 2026 recommendation
Flu Vaccine Strains for 2026
Australia and New Zealand influenza season
2026 Flu Season Preparations: Australia Returns to Trivalent Vaccines
As Australia prepares for the 2026 influenza season, a significant milestone is approaching with the return of Trivalent Influenza Vaccines (TIV). After years of using quadrivalent formulations, we are finally transitioning back to the trivalent approach that served Australia well for many years prior to 2016.
The Return to Trivalent Vaccines
For the 2026 flu season, Australia will complete its transition back to Trivalent Influenza Vaccines (TIV), marking a return to the vaccine format used successfully before quadrivalent vaccines were introduced in 2016. This transition reflects the World Health Organisation's global recommendations to phase out the B/Yamagata lineage component, which has not been detected worldwide since March 2020.
Official Health Authority Guidance
The transition is supported by comprehensive guidance from Australia's leading health authorities. ATAGI's official statement on the transition confirms that "TIV may be used exclusively by the 2026 influenza season." This aligns with the Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee's current recommendations that the B/Yamagata lineage component is "no longer warranted."
2026 Vaccine Strain Announcement
As with previous years, we expect the Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee (AIVC) to announce the specific vaccine strains for the 2026 southern hemisphere flu season in early October. This timing provides healthcare providers and corporate vaccination programs ample opportunity to prepare for the upcoming season and ensure seamless delivery of workplace vaccination services.
What This Means for our Corporate Flu Vaccination Programs
The transition back to trivalent vaccines represents a streamlined approach to influenza protection, focusing on the three most relevant circulating strains. Our corporate flu shot programs will adapt seamlessly to this change, continuing to deliver effective protection for Australian workplaces whilst maintaining our commitment to exceptional value and service quality, in line with Australia's official immunisation guidelines.
Expert Monitoring and Guidance
RN Aitor Aspiazu, founder of Corporate Care and an AHPRA Registered Nurse with over 20 years of healthcare experience, continues to closely monitor developments in influenza vaccination. With his strong background and passion for flu vaccination, Aitor ensures our workplace vaccination programs remain at the forefront of best practice and aligned with the latest health recommendations as we transition back to trivalent vaccines.
Preparing for 2026
We remain committed to supporting workplace health through effective flu vaccination strategies. Our team continues monitoring developments from the Therapeutic Goods Administration and will provide the latest expert advice following the October strain announcements to ensure your workplace vaccination programs are ready for the 2026 flu season.
Please contact our team today for more information about implementing a flu vaccination program in your workplace for the upcoming 2026 season.
The Importance of Flu Vaccination in the Workplace
In the year-to-date (1st January to 9th December 2024), 359,693 notifications of laboratory-confirmed influenza were reported to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System in Australia. Influenza can wreak havoc in the workplace, leading to increased absenteeism and decreased productivity. The 2025 flu vaccine is designed to combat the most common and virulent strains, making it an essential part of your workplace health strategy.
The Role of the WHO in Influenza Vaccine Recommendations
This helps ensure a good match between the vaccine strains and the circulating influenza viruses, which can positively affect Australian businesses and their employees.
A good match between the influenza vaccine and the circulating viruses means employees are less likely to fall ill and take time off work. This reduces absenteeism and increases productivity, benefiting the bottom line of businesses in Australia.
Furthermore, if employees are vaccinated, the spread of the flu virus within the workplace can be reduced, minimising the disruption and impact of flu outbreaks and leading to a healthy and efficient workforce.
The Importance of the Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee in Flu Vaccine Programs
The Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee (AIVC) plays a crucial role in the success of flu vaccine programs in Australia, including the 2026 Trivalent Flu Vaccine.
The committee, consisting of experts in virology, epidemiology, and public health, guides the use of flu vaccines, including the composition of seasonal flu vaccines, ensuring the Flu Vaccine for the upcoming flu season is a good match for the strains of influenza virus circulating in the population, providing maximum protection to individuals, including employees in the workplace.
A Word from the Experts
Aitor Aspiazu, the founder of Corporate Care and AHPRA Registered Nurse with over 20 years of healthcare experience, had this to say:
"Australia's return to Trivalent Influenza Vaccines (TIV) for 2026 represents a strategic evolution in our vaccination approach. This transition, driven by the extinction of the B/Yamagata lineage since March 2020, allows us to focus resources on the strains that actually pose a threat to Australian workplaces. It's a science-based decision that maintains robust protection whilst streamlining vaccine production."
Corporate Care, backed by Aitor's extensive expertise and passion for flu vaccination, has over a decade of experience running workplace flu vaccinations. Our approach is grounded in evidence-based practices, staying aligned with guidance from the Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee and Australia's official immunisation guidelines. We continuously monitor the latest scientific advancements to ensure our flu prevention programmes remain as effective as possible for our corporate clients.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Corporate Care is now taking bookings for 2026 onsite flu clinics and vouchers. We provide a convenient and effective way for businesses to promote the health and well-being of their employees as we transition to the new trivalent vaccines.
Don't wait until the 2026 flu season begins. Secure your workplace flu vaccinations today and provide your employees with the protection they deserve, using Australia's updated vaccination approach.
For more insights on influenza, corporate health and wellbeing, AI, health tech, and how to improve productivity at work, please subscribe to Wellbeing Wired.
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Introducing Aitor Aspiazu, your go-to flu expert and a Registered Nurse accredited by AHPRA (NMW0001159845). Boasting over two decades of experience in healthcare, Aitor has navigated everything from Emergency Departments to Corporate Wellness Programs—and yes, he’s even battled the flu himself. As the Founder and Lead Nurse Consultant at Corporate Care, he’s the driving force behind workplace health and well-being. No longer in scrubs, he’s now at the forefront of healthcare innovation, leveraging Artificial Intelligence and automation to revolutionise workplace health and well-being. As the Founder and Lead Nurse Consultant at Corporate Care, he’s the visionary behind cutting-edge flu vaccination programs that keep businesses running smoothly. Off-duty, he’s a proud dad and a Padel addict who represented Australia in the World Padel Championship. Trust Aitor; he’s got your back when it comes to flu prevention and modern healthcare solutions.